December 09, 2024 - Ukraine, Kyiv

Oleksandr Govorushchak, a senior official at Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), has filed a lawsuit against the investigative outlet Slidstva.Info and journalist Yana Korniychuk over their report on his family’s alleged unexplained wealth. The investigation uncovered properties valued at over $824,000, far exceeding his declared assets. Govorushchak is demanding a retraction, the removal of the article, and $942 in damages, claiming the reporting damaged his reputation and relied on unverified sources.

Slidstva.Info asserts that their findings were based on publicly available declarations and highlighted significant financial discrepancies that Govorushchak has yet to address.

Women Press Freedom views this lawsuit as a clear example of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)—a misuse of the legal system by a powerful figure to intimidate and silence critical journalism. This case underscores the growing dangers for investigative journalists in Ukraine, who face legal and extralegal threats for exposing corruption. Such tactics undermine accountability, transparency, and press freedom.

We call on Ukrainian authorities to safeguard journalists' rights and ensure they can work without fear of retaliation. We urge the judiciary to dismiss this lawsuit and uphold the principles of press freedom and democratic oversight.